Charging method and imaging apparatus for equitable and simple charging

ABSTRACT

A charging method using a use point that is a unit, common to a plurality of apparatuses, of charging according to use thereof includes the steps of (a) converting a result of use of each of functions of each of the apparatuses to use points, (b) totaling the use points of each of the apparatuses obtained in the step (a) based on a predetermined unit, and (c) charging for use of each of the apparatuses based on the use points totaled in the step (b).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to charging methods andimaging apparatuses, and more particularly to a method of charging witha “use point” that is a common unit of charging for use of apparatusesand/or services and an imaging apparatus supporting such a method.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Conventionally, copier charges are made according to the numberof copies made by the copier. In the case of making N copies for A yenper copy, for instance, A times N yen are charged in total. A billcollector is informed of the number of copies made by a user and chargesthe user accordingly.

[0005] However, in the case of charging according to the number ofcopies, a color copy and a monochrome copy have different unit prices.

[0006] Therefore, the bill collector, receiving information ornotification of the number of copies, calculates charges for colorcopies and monochrome copies separately based on their respectivenumbers. Then, the bill collector adds up the respective charges so asto charge the user.

[0007] In this case, however, the user may be charged a wrong amount dueto the occurrence of an error in reading the values of their respectivecounters or in informing the bill collector of the read value of eachcounter. First of all, reading and reporting the counter value cost timeand trouble.

[0008] Recent multi-function printers (MFPs) include a built-in harddisk (HD). The MFP enables a user to store an image read by the scannerfunction in the HD and to distribute the stored image to otherapparatuses through a network. Further, the image stored in the HD canbe stored via the network in an image data storage server. Moreover, theMFP itself can be used as an image data storage server connected to thenetwork.

[0009] Such a high-performance MFP requires services that cannot becharged for by the conventional method of charging according to thenumber of copies or printouts. Such services include upgrading of MFPsoftware and provision of instructions on how to operate the MFP.

[0010] Further, in a high-performance MFP, even a price system for aservice measurable by the number of copies or printouts is complicatedand thus difficult for clients to understand. It is expected that thismay cause an increase in management cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention toprovide a charging method and an imaging apparatus in which theabove-described disadvantage is eliminated.

[0012] A more specific object of the present invention is to provide anappropriate, equitable, and simple method of charging for use ofapparatuses and/or services and an imaging apparatus supporting such amethod.

[0013] The above objects of the present invention are achieved by acharging method using a use point that is a unit, common to a pluralityof apparatuses, of charging according to use thereof, the chargingmethod including the steps of (a) converting a result of use of each offunctions of each of the apparatuses to use points, (b) totaling the usepoints of each of the apparatuses obtained in the step (a) based on apredetermined unit, and (c) charging for use of each of the apparatusesbased on the use points totaled in the step (b).

[0014] According to the above-described charging method, charging forthe use of an apparatus is performed based on the totaled use points towhich the use of the functions of the apparatus is converted. Therefore,even when an apparatus has multiple functions, charging can be performedappropriately, equitably, and simply for the use of the apparatus.

[0015] The above objects of the present invention are also achieved by acharging method using a use point that is a unit, common to a pluralityof services, of charging according to use thereof, the charging methodincluding the steps of (a) converting a result of use of each of theservices to use points, (b) totaling the use points of the servicesobtained in the step (a) based on a predetermined unit, and (c) chargingfor the use of the services based on the use points totaled in said step(b).

[0016] According to the above-described charging method, services suchas MFP software upgrading and provision of MFP operating instructions,which cannot be charged for by the conventional method, can be chargedfor appropriately, equitably, and simply.

[0017] The above objects of the present invention are also achieved by acharging method using a use point that is a unit, common to use of anapparatus and a service, of charging according to the use thereof, thecharging method including the steps of (a) converting a result of use ofeach of the apparatus and the service to use points, (b) totaling theuse points of the apparatus and the service obtained in the step (a)based on a predetermined unit, and (c) charging for the use of theapparatus and the service based on the use points totaled in the step(b).

[0018] According to the above-described charging method, a charge forthe use of an apparatus and a charge for the use of a service aretotaled when the charges are made. Therefore, a payment can also be madefor the totaled charges. This saves time and trouble in making a chargeand a payment for the use of an apparatus and a service.

[0019] The above objects of the present invention are further achievedby an imaging apparatus outputting a use point that is a unit, common toa plurality of apparatuses, of charging according to use thereof, theimaging apparatus including: a conversion part converting a result ofuse of each of functions of the imaging apparatus to use points; atotaling part totaling, based on a predetermined unit, the use points ofthe functions obtained in the conversion part; and an output partoutputting the use points totaled in the totaling part.

[0020] The above-described imaging apparatus can be suitably used in anyof the above-described charging methods according to the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Other objects, features and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent from the following detailed description whenread in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022]FIG. 1 is a flowchart for illustrating a basic concept of thepresent invention.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an operation according to an embodimentof the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a system configuration according tothe embodiment of the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an apparatusof the system of FIG. 3 according to the embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0026]FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating a transmission formataccording to the embodiment of the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a use datacollection center of the system of FIG. 3 according to the embodiment ofthe present invention; and

[0028]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another configuration of the apparatusaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] A description will now be given, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] First, a description will be given, with reference to FIG. 1, ofa basic concept of the present invention. A charging method for the MFP,for instance, will be described.

[0031] [Basic Operation Flow]

[0032] In step S1 of FIG. 1, a “use point” is set with respect to eachfunction of the MFP. The use point is a unit of charging for use of eachfunction of the MFP. For instance, the use point, as a charging unit, isset with respect to each of one printout, one A3 copy, one A4 copy, andone A4 duplex copy. The use point system may be set so that a point isadded for every predetermined black area (6%, for instance) of theentire copy area. Another use point system is set for color copying. Theset contents of the use point system are stored in a memory as aconversion table.

[0033] In step S2, every time the MFP is used, referring to theconversion table, the state of use (time length, the number of times,etc.) of each function is converted to the corresponding use points tobe stored in the memory. Next, in step S3, the use points of thefunctions are totaled based on a predetermined unit at predeterminedintervals. Then, in step S4, a charge is made based on the totaled usepoints of the functions.

[0034] The use point may be used in common with other apparatuses orservices. In this case, the use points may be totaled according to aunit of collecting bills (a bill collection unit) or a unit suitable forcollecting bills.

[0035] [Operation Flow of the Present Invention]

[0036] A description will be given, with reference to FIG. 2, of anoperation flow of the present invention.

[0037] In step S10 of FIG. 2, an apparatus and/or a service is used. Instep S11, data on the use of the apparatus and/or the service(hereinafter referred to as use data) is obtained. The use data may beautomatically generated by the apparatus used or input through aterminal (which may be the apparatus used if the apparatus used canfunction as a terminal). Thereafter, the operation flow is divided intofour parts according to the following cases.

[0038] (a) [In The Case Where The Apparatus Used Totals And Displays TheUse Points]

[0039] In step S12, the apparatus used, which includes a memory storingthe conversion table, refers to the conversion table and converts theobtained use data to use points. In step S13, the apparatus used totalsthe use points based on a predetermined unit at predetermined intervals.Next, in step S14, the apparatus used stores the totaled use points, andin step 15, displays the totaled use points as required on the displayunit of the apparatus or an external display.

[0040] A charge is made based on the displayed value. Thereby, the usepoint value or the sum of the use points of the functions of eachapparatus can be known.

[0041] (b) [In The Case Where The Apparatus Used Totals The Use PointsAnd An External Apparatus Uses The Totaled Use Points]

[0042] In step S12, the apparatus used, which includes a memory storingthe conversion table, refers to the conversion table and converts theobtained use data to use points. In step S13, the apparatus used totalsthe use points based on a predetermined unit at predetermined intervals.Next, in step S14, the apparatus used stores the totaled use points in apredetermined memory. Then, in step S16, accessed by the externalapparatus, the apparatus used outputs the use points stored in thememory. In step S17, the external apparatus performs billing based onthe use points.

[0043] The external apparatus of the operation flow (b) is preferably acharging and/or billing system. In this case, charging and/or billingcan be performed efficiently with a reduced amount of charging and/orbilling data.

[0044] (c) [In The Case Where An External Apparatus Totals The Use DataAnd Converts The Use Data To Use Points So As To Perform Charging And/orBilling Based On The Use Points]

[0045] The external apparatus accesses each apparatus via a network andcollects the use data.

[0046] In step S18, the external apparatus, which includes a memorystoring the conversion table, refers to the conversion table andconverts the use data collected from the apparatus used to use points.In step S19, the external apparatus totals the use points based on apredetermined unit such as a bill collection unit at predeterminedintervals. Next, in step S20, the external apparatus stores the totaleduse points in a predetermined memory. Then, in step S21, the externalapparatus outputs the stored use points at a predetermined date andtime, and in step S22, the external apparatus performs billing based onthe use points.

[0047] The external apparatus of the operation flow (c) is a system forcollecting information on the state of each apparatus used as well asfor charging and billing. In this case, the system for collectinginformation on the state of each apparatus used includes the chargingand billing functions so as to be capable of performing informationcollecting, charging, and billing with more efficiency.

[0048] (d) [In The Case Where An External Apparatus Collects The UseData And Converts The Use Data To Use Points So That a Billing ApparatusPerforms Billing Based On The Use Points]

[0049] The external apparatus such as a use data collection centeraccesses each apparatus via a network and collects the use data.

[0050] In step S18, the external apparatus, which includes a memorystoring the conversion table, refers to the conversion table andconverts the use data collected from the apparatus used to use points.In step S19, the external apparatus totals the use points based on apredetermined unit such as a bill collection unit at predeterminedintervals. Next, in step S20, the external apparatus stores the totaleduse points in a predetermined memory. Then, in step S21, accessed by thebilling apparatus, the external apparatus outputs the stored use points,and in step S23, the billing apparatus performs billing based on the usepoints.

[0051] The external apparatus of the operation flow (d) collectsinformation on the state of each apparatus used and converts theinformation to use data. Then, the external apparatus makes a chargebased on the result of the conversion. Therefore, the functions aredistributed so as to realize a very expansive system. Instead of theexternal apparatus, the billing apparatus may total the use points basedon a predetermined unit at predetermined intervals in step S19.

[0052] [System Configuration]

[0053]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a system configuration in theabove-described case (d).

[0054] The system of FIG. 3 includes apparatuses 1 ₁ through 1 _(N) foruse, system user terminals 2 ₁ through 2 _(M), a communication network10, a use data collection center 11, and a billing center 12. The usedata collection center 11 may include the function of the billing center12.

[0055] The network 10 is a communication network such as the Internet.The apparatuses 1 ₁ through 1 _(N) are MFPs, personal computers,printers, copiers, and facsimile machines, for instance. Theseapparatuses are products of a plurality of manufactures. The system userterminals 2 ₁ through 2 _(M) are used to input data on apparatus and/orservice use and to access the use data collection center 11 or thebilling center 12 so as to obtain the present use points or the usepoints for a predetermined period of time. The system user terminals 2 ₁through 2 _(M) may be connected directly to the use data collectioncenter 11 or the billing center 12. Further, each of the apparatuses 1 ₁through 1 _(N) may include the system user terminal function.

[0056] The use data collection center 11 obtains the use data from theapparatuses 1 ₁ through 1 _(N), such as information on the use thereofand information on supplies therefor, and converts the use data to usepoints referring to the conversion table. Further, the use datacollection center 11 totals the use points (use point value) of each ofthe apparatuses 1 ₁ through 1 _(N) based on a predetermined unit such asa bill collection unit at predetermined intervals. The use datacollection center 11 stores the totaled use points in a predeterminedmemory. Accessed by the billing center 12, the use data collectioncenter 11 outputs the use points stored in the memory. Based on the usepoints, the billing center 12 bills the users of the apparatuses 1 ₁through 1 _(N) for the use thereof. The totaling of the use points maybe performed by the billing center.

[0057] [Configuration of Each of The Apparatuses 1 ₁ Through 1 _(N) ofThe System of FIG. 3]

[0058]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of each of theapparatuses 1 ₁ through 1 _(N) of the system of FIG. 3. The apparatus ofFIG. 4 is referred to as an apparatus 1 for convenience of description.The use data of the apparatus 1 obtained thereby is automaticallytransmitted therefrom to the use data collection center 11. A client mayinput the use data and obtain the use point value of the apparatus 1,using its operation screen.

[0059] The apparatus 1, which is an apparatus for office or home use,such as an MFP, a printer, a copier, or a facsimile machine, includes acommunication interface (I/F) 70, a control part 71, an informationprocessing part 72, an apparatus information collection part 73, and anoperation screen 74 in its main body.

[0060] The control part 71 controls the entire apparatus 1. In addition,the control part 71 further controls the communication interface 70, theinformation processing part 72, the apparatus information collectionpart 73, and the operation screen 74.

[0061] The information processing part 72 performs processing related tothe collection of the use points.

[0062] The apparatus information collection part 73 collects informationincluding the use data of the apparatus 1 and transmits the collectedinformation to the use data collection center 11 via the communicationinterface 70.

[0063] The information transmitted to the use data collection center 11is expressed in an information code. The collected information is storedtemporarily in the apparatus information collection part 73 and istransmitted to the use data collection center 11 in a predeterminedtransmission format corresponding to the network 10.

[0064]FIG. 5 shows an information code 90, which is one configuration ofthe information code of this embodiment. The information code 90 of FIG.5 is formed of 11 bytes. The first and second bytes indicate aclassification code 91, the third through ninth bytes indicate a modecode 92 showing the contents of the information, and the tenth andeleventh bytes form bytes 93 reserved for use by the use data collectioncenter 11. In the apparatus 1, “00” is inserted in the bytes 93. Forinstance, information whose first byte has a value “1” indicates thestate, the operation history, and the copy number history of theapparatus 1 and can be read only from the use data collection center 11.On the other hand, information transmitted from the apparatus 1 when theapparatus 1 needs repairing or maintenance has a first-byte value “2”.Further, information that can be read by the use data collection center11 as required without being transmitted from the apparatus 1, such asfailure or alarm information, has a first-byte value “3”.

[0065] The operation screen 74 is formed of a touch panel. By followinginstructions displayed on the operation screen 74, the apparatus and/orservice use data can be input, and the use data collection center 11 orthe billing center 12 is accessed so that the present use data or theuse data for a predetermined period of time can be obtained.

[0066] [Configuration of The Use Data Collection Center 11 of The Systemof FIG. 3]

[0067]FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the use datacollection center 11. In this configuration, the use data collectioncenter 11 includes the function of the billing center 12.

[0068] The use data collection center 11 of FIG. 6 includes a managementterminal 20, a communication server 21, a system management server 22, adatabase server 23, a database 24, a router 25, a conversion server 26,a totaling server 27, a billing server 28, local area networks (LANs) 36and 37, and a firewall 38.

[0069] The management terminal 20 is a terminal for controlling the usedata collection center 11. The communication server 21, whichcommunicates with the apparatuses 1 ₁ through 1 _(N) directly or via thenetwork 10, receives the use data of the apparatuses 1 ₁ through 1 _(N)therefrom. Further, at the request of any of the apparatuses 1 ₁ through1 _(N), the communication server 21 transmits thereto its present usepoint value or its use point value for a predetermined period of time.

[0070] The system management server 22 manages the entire use datacollection center 11 of FIG. 6. The database server 23 manages thedatabase 24. The database server 23, for instance, stores, as required:a (conversion) table correlating each apparatus use and/or each serviceuse with its corresponding use point as a charging unit; the use points(use point values) recorded client by client, apparatus by apparatus,and function by function in a bill collection unit; client information;apparatus information; and use state information. The database 24 storesdata used in the conversion server 26, the totaling server 27, and thebilling server 28. The firewall 38 ensures security in the connectionwith the network 10.

[0071] The conversion server 26, referring to the conversion tablestored in the database server 23, converts the use data of each of theapparatuses 1 ₁ through 1 _(N) obtained thereby to use points. Thetotaling server 27 totals the use points of each of the apparatuses 1 ₁through 1 _(N) based on a predetermined unit at predetermined intervals.The billing server 28, based on the use points totaled by the totalingserver 27, bills the user of each of the apparatuses 1 ₁ through 1 _(N)for the use thereof.

[0072] According to the above-described system, when the apparatus 1 isused, the use data of the apparatus 1 is transmitted therefrom to theuse data collection center 11 at any time, periodically, or at therequest of the use data collection center 11. Thereafter, the conversionserver 26, referring to the conversion table stored in the databaseserver 23, converts the received use data to use points, and stores theuse points in the database server 23. Next, the totaling sever 27 totalsthe use points stored in the database server 23 at predeterminedintervals, and stores the totaled use points in the database server 23.Then, at any time or a predetermined date and time, the billing server28 bills the user of the apparatus 1 for the use thereof based on theuse points stored in the database server 23.

[0073] According to the system of FIG. 3, the use data collection center11 collects the use data of each of the apparatuses 1 ₁ through 1 _(N)and converts the collected data to the respective use points. Therefore,the collection and the conversion of the use data can be performed withefficiency.

[0074] [In The Case Where The Apparatus 1 Displays The Use Point Value]

[0075] A description will be given, with reference to FIG. 7, of thecase where the use point value is displayed on an apparatus such as anMFP.

[0076]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another configuration of the apparatus1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same elements as those ofFIG. 4 are referred to by the same numerals.

[0077] The apparatus 1, which is an apparatus for office or home use,such as an MFP, a printer, a copier, or a facsimile machine, includesthe communication I/F 70, the control part 71, the informationprocessing part 72, the apparatus information collection part 73, theoperation screen 74, a use state information database 75, and aconversion table 76 in its main body.

[0078] The control part 71 controls the entire apparatus 1. In addition,the control part 71 controls the communication I/F 70, the informationprocessing part 72, the apparatus information collection part 73, andthe operation screen 74.

[0079] The information processing part 72, which is connected to the usestate information database 75 and the conversion table 76, collectsinformation including the use data of the apparatus 1, and stores theinformation in the use state information database 75. Further, theinformation processing part 72 converts the use data of the apparatus 1to use points referring to the conversion table 76, and stores the usepoints in the use state information database 75. The apparatusinformation collection part 73 totals the use points based on apredetermined unit at predetermined intervals, and stores the totaleduse points in the use state information database 75 according to theoperation of the information processing part 72. The operation screen 74is formed of a touch panel. By following instructions displayed on theoperation screen 74, the apparatus and/or service use data can be input,and the present use data or the use data for a predetermined period oftime can be displayed.

[0080] The use data or the totaled use points of the apparatus 1 may betransmitted to an external apparatus via the communication I/F 70 asrequired. That is, the totaled use points are collected via the network10 by an external apparatus such as the use data collection center 11,and charging is performed based on the collected use points. Thisreduces the amount of charging-related data flow on the network 10.

[0081] If the apparatus 1 has a normal mode and a power-saving mode, theuse points may be calculated in each of the modes and displayed asrequired.

[0082] The client can determine, referring to the calculated use pointsof each of the modes, which of the two is the more suitable, tofrequently switch off the power or to use the power-saving mode. Thishelps the client save power and reduce costs.

[0083] In the present invention, the following items are suitablyconverted to the use points, for instance.

[0084] Use of Apparatus

[0085] In converting the use of the apparatus 1 to use points, differentconversions may be performed in the normal mode and the power-savingmode since the degree of consumption of expendable supplies differsbetween the normal mode and the power-saving mode.

[0086] Further, different conversions may be performed in color printingor copying and monochrome printing or copying.

[0087] Replenishment of expendable supplies

[0088] Technical fees for periodic checks or failure recovery operations

[0089] Provision of operating instructions

[0090] Function upgrading

[0091] Consultation service by phone, etc.

[0092] Additional memory installation

[0093] Additional function installation

[0094] According to the embodiment of the present invention,appropriate, equitable, and simple charging, easy for the users tounderstand, can be performed without complicating the price system forthe use of a high-performance apparatus such as an MFP.

[0095] The present invention is not limited to the specificallydisclosed embodiment, but variations and modifications may be madewithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0096] The present application is based on Japanese priority applicationNo. 2002-084551 filed on Mar. 25, 2002, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A charging method using a use point that is aunit, common to a plurality of apparatuses, of charging according to usethereof, the charging method comprising the steps of: (a) converting aresult of use of each of functions of each of the apparatuses to usepoints; (b) totaling the use points of each of the apparatuses obtainedin said step (a) based on a predetermined unit; and (c) charging for useof each of the apparatuses based on the use points totaled in said step(b).
 2. The charging method as claimed in claim 1, further comprisingthe step of (d) obtaining, via a network, the result of use of each ofthe functions of each of the apparatuses which result is converted tothe use point in said step (a).
 3. The charging method as claimed inclaim 1, further comprising the step of (d) collecting, via a network,the use points totaled in said step (b), wherein said step (c) chargesfor the use of each of the apparatuses based on the use points collectedin said step (d).
 4. The charging method as claimed in claim 3, whereinsaid step (c) charges, based on a billing address of each of theapparatuses, for the use of each of the apparatuses based on the usepoints collected in said step (d).
 5. The charging method as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the apparatuses include a multi-function printer. 6.The charging method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the stepof (d) calculating, if each of the apparatuses has a normal mode and apower-saving mode as functions, the use points of each of theapparatuses in each of the normal and power-saving modes and displayingthe calculated use points of each of the normal and power-saving modesof each of the apparatuses.
 7. The charging method as claimed in claim1, wherein said step (b) totals the use points of each of theapparatuses obtained in said step (a) based on the predetermined unit atpredetermined intervals.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 1, whereineach of said steps (a), (b), and (c) is performed automatically by acomputer.
 9. A charging method using a use point that is a unit, commonto a plurality of services, of charging according to use thereof, thecharging method comprising the steps of: (a) converting a result of useof each of the services to use points; (b) totaling the use points ofthe services obtained in said step (a) based on a predetermined unit;and (c) charging for the use of the services based on the use pointstotaled in said step (b).
 10. The charging method as claimed in claim 9,further comprising the step of (d) obtaining, via a network, the resultof use of each of the services which result is converted to the usepoint in said step (a).
 11. The charging method as claimed in claim 9,further comprising the step of (d) collecting, via a network, the usepoints totaled in said step (b), wherein said step (c) charges for theuse of the services based on the use points collected in said step (d).12. The charging method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said step (c)charges, based on a billing address of the services, for the use of theservices based on the use points collected in said step (d).
 13. Thecharging method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said step (b) totals theuse points of the services obtained in said step (a) based on thepredetermined unit at predetermined intervals.
 14. The charging methodas claimed in claim 9, wherein each of said steps (a), (b), and (c) isperformed automatically by a computer.
 15. A charging method using a usepoint that is a unit, common to use of an apparatus and a service, ofcharging according to the use thereof, the charging method comprisingthe steps of: (a) converting a result of use of each of the apparatusand the service to use points; (b) totaling the use points of theapparatus and the service obtained in said step (a) based on apredetermined unit; and (c) charging for the use of the apparatus andthe service based on the use points totaled in said step (b).
 16. Thecharging method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the step of(d) obtaining, via a network, the result of use of each of the functionsof each of the apparatuses which result is converted to the use point insaid step (a).
 17. The charging method as claimed in claim 15, furthercomprising the step of (d) collecting, via a network, the use pointstotaled in said step (b), wherein said step (c) charges for the use ofthe apparatus and the service based on the use points collected in saidstep (d).
 18. The charging method as claimed in claim 17, wherein saidstep (c) charges, based on a billing address of the apparatus and theservice, for the use of the apparatus and the service based on the usepoints collected in said step (d).
 19. The charging method as claimed inclaim 15, wherein the apparatus is a multi-function printer.
 20. Thecharging method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the step of(d) calculating, if the apparatus has a normal mode and a power-savingmode as functions, the use points of the apparatus in each of the normaland power-saving modes and displaying the calculated use points of eachof the normal and power-saving mode.
 21. The charging method as claimedin claim 15, wherein said step (b) totals the use points of theapparatus and the service obtained in said step (a) based on thepredetermined unit at predetermined intervals.
 22. The charging methodas claimed in claim 15, wherein each of said steps (a), (b), and (c) isperformed automatically by a computer.
 23. An imaging apparatusoutputting a use point that is a unit, common to a plurality ofapparatuses, of charging according to use thereof, the imaging apparatuscomprising: a conversion part converting a result of use of each offunctions of the imaging apparatus to use points; a totaling parttotaling, based on a predetermined unit, the use points of the functionsobtained in said conversion part; and an output part outputting the usepoints totaled in said totaling part.
 24. The imaging apparatus asclaimed in claim 23, wherein said output part outputs the totaled usepoints on a display.
 25. The imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 24,wherein the display comprises a touch panel so that data on the use ofeach of the functions of the imaging apparatus can be input through thedisplay.
 26. The imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 23, furthercomprising a storage part storing a table correlating data on the resultof use of each of the functions with the corresponding use pointsthereof, so that said conversion part refers to the table in convertingthe result of use of each of the functions of the imaging apparatus tothe use point.
 27. The imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 23, furthercomprising a collection part collecting data on the result of use ofeach of the functions of the imaging apparatus for conversion to the usepoint.
 28. The imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 23, furthercomprising a communication interface connected to a network so that dataon the result of use of each of the functions of the imaging apparatusor the use points may be transmitted via the network to an externalapparatus.
 29. The imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 23, whereinsaid totaling part totaling the use points of the functions based on apredetermined unit at predetermined intervals.